For those people who in High School just missed being voted the hippest, liveliest, or most fun person in the grade, there is now a new site for them to redeem their past social misfortunes. Socially Superlative is a web journal that keeps itself in the know about the latest openings, parties, cultural events, and launches taking place throughout New York City. By staying on top of this site’s most recent posts, you will surely guarantee yourself the trophy title – Biggest Event Enthusiast – among your friends and co-workers! You can thank blog contributors Alice, Yvonne, and Mosaka in your acceptance speech.

What brought you to New York?

Mosaka: Native NYer; born and raised
Yvonne: A college education, which has since gone to waste.
Alice: Both Von and I went to NYU, which is one of the most expensive educations in the nation. Thus, we shamelessly mooched off the free food, booze and swag on the NYC party circuit after classes. Now SS lets us replace “shamelessly” with “legitimately with a press pass.”

What do you love about living in New York?

Mosaka: The nightlife, the parties, the fast paced environment, the fact that you can get anywhere in the city in less than 20 minutes, the fact that you can meet someone new everyday, the diversity, it’s energy, the fact that I can buy soy hotdogs from a street vender in Soho, the skyline at night, the fact that it is forever changing.
Yvonne: There are always people crazier than you.
Alice: The ridiculously high standards we hold restaurants to. I protest dinners at places with less than at 25 in Zagat.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Mosaka: Growing up here? (sorry I’m bias)
Alice: Someone who maximizes luxury by mixing high and low or expensive and cheap. Italian food is dinner is at Il Mulino and midnight snack at John’s Pizza, both in Greenwich Village. Red carpet outfits are composed of H&M, cheap vintage discoveries, but completed by irrational $500+ shoes. Having the same level of fun at the latest “it” club like 1Oak or Tenjune and frat-astic Brother Jimmy’s in Murray Hill but also never passing up apartment parties.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

Mosaka: Nothing really. New Yorkers have done and seen it all.
Alice: The ease of D-List fame, which is best defined as non-celebrities derisively spotlighted in Gawker. There are people who are known for just their blogs. If you’re getting rejected by invites from SS (sorry! many are not open to the public), then start writing about excruciating yet voyeuristic debauchery while being frequently photographed by the paparazzi.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

Mosaka: The parties!! And my yorkie Max.
Alice: Having too much to do. Boredom has yet to enter my vocabulary.
Yvonne: Accessibility to food 24/7

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

Mosaka: Yes, make friends with bouncers, Dj’s, anyone and everyone who is in the know. Be friendly to people even if it is the waiter passing out drinks. These are actually some of my favorite people to talk to at events.
Alice: Tip graciously. You can skip lines at pretentious clubs by getting the doorman to remember you. I’ll start with event at a club, like Bijoux, so I get in by through the guestlist. Afterwards, I’ll introduce myself by giving a business card and thanking them for the service with a tip ($20 but I am a girl, boys should aim higher). When I go back and they let me skip the line, I’ll almost always thank and tip again at the end of the night. I’m frugal towards things for myself, but always a generous tipper for karmic service.
Yvonne: Talk to as many new people as you can.

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

Yvonne: Ice skating in Central Park’s Wollman Rink
Mosaka: Von stole mine

Best place to dine late night?

Mosaka: Wo Hop in Chinatown it’s open 24 hours! And look out for the picture of Gino!
Yvonne: Coffee Shop for their mac & cheese and cheese fries, or San Loco for nachos.
Alice: Cafeteria for grilled cheese on Texas toast. Any place in Koreatown (32nd between 5th Avenue and Broadway) for do-it-yourself barbeque and a side of japchae, which are Korean stir fried noodles with vegetables.

Best live music venue?

Mosaka: I used to go to Roseland a lot back in the day.
Yvonne: Not really the best venue, but my good friend performs at Spike Hill in Williamsburg for Thursday open mic night. Very chill, and fun to support your friends.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

Mosaka: Fashion show at the Museum of Natural History?
Yvonne: Does seeing High School Musical 3 opening night count as “cultural?”

Strangest/ coolest NY experience you have ever had?

Alice: The most entertaining was an MTV Awards after party that was hosted by Wyclef John. My friend coquettishly waved to him and we all ended up dancing on stage. The rest is her story to tell…and I think he was married at the time. Celebrity encounters happen all the time, but rarely occurs outside of NYC, am I right? The strangest NY experience was at Deep when we wandered into the VIP section where the owners’ girlfriends invited us to join their table. The owners were all a “family” with names Vinny, Danny, and Tommy and one guy responded to the “what do you do question” with “creative loans.”

Best area or neighborhood for fun on a budget?

Mosaka: Anywhere in New York just read the event section on Socially Superlative..we’ll take care of you!
Yvonne: East Village is steadily becoming more expensive, but you can still find great deals.
Alice: Chinatown; dim sum is rarely more than $10 a person and you are stuffed. For free dessert, go next door to Aji Ichiban, a candy store with tons of weird dried seafood samples.

Best way to spot a trend (this can apply to a trendy new band, new restaurant, hairstyle… anything, really)?

Mosaka: I don’t really follow trends or the next “it” thing I play by own rules. I am actually pretty clueless when it comes to stuff like that. I didn’t even know what a blog was until January of this year when I started reading Dlisted which is the only other blog I read. There are writers on my site who read multiple blogs so they help me stay in the loop, but sometimes they mention names of people in their reviews and I have no idea who these people are. Like I said I am pretty clueless.
Yvonne: Copy your cool friends!

What are some of your favorite New York City events?

Post A Comment And Let Us Know!

What started as an innovative way for a public relations company to utilize the internet, has become an all encompassing source for arts and entertainment events in NYC. Termeh Mazhari not only uses New York Buzz to promote and endorse her PR clients, but also posts reviews of new shows, interviews with trendsetters, and info for all sorts of art exhibits. And Mazhari wants to hear from you. If you went to the Francisca Bastos Jewelry Show or caught a performance of Celebrity Autobiography at the Triad, tell her about it. If you want to spread the word about an event of your own, shoot her an email. Log on to see what all the buzz is about!

Tell us about your blog: New York Buzz is a perso-professional blog that reaches out to New Yorkers who want to hear about cool new happenings in their city (and occasionally beyond). I first launched the blog in April, 2008, soon after AMP3 Public Relations (an A&E-focused PR firm in NYC) hired me as their social media publicist.

The initial purpose of the blog was to offer an up-close-and-personal portrait of our clients (most of whom are in the entertainment industry), but it also featured their latest news and events. In September 2008, I decided to open up my blog to non-clients. So now, anyone who has an interesting New York event they want to promote can just shoot me an email and I might feature it on my blog.

What brought you to New York?

I work in the city, but actually live in Great Neck, Long Island, which is only a 22 minute express train ride away from Penn Station. I came to New York from Philadelphia in search of better work opportunities and a more exciting, multicultural environment. Does moving to New York ever really need a reason though?

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Well, the obvious answer would be ATTITUDE – and, although that’s certainly true, I’d also add that it’s their open-mindedness and willingness to think outside the box.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The late-night store hours! It truly is the city that never sleeps.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

I like to browse New York Magazine’s Sales & Bargain section for info on upcoming sample sales at clothing stores. I’m also surprised that more people aren’t aware that most NYC museums have “pay what you wish” days – check out here for details.

And lately, I’ve been loving Restaurant.com. They have hundreds of Manhattan restaurants in their database and you can get discounted coupons for dirt cheap! (another secret: there’s almost always a discount code to make the coupons even cheaper!). I just bought a 25 dollar coupon for only 4 dollars!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

The Flatiron building! I walk by it every single day on my way to work and it never ceases to take my breath away! It’s simply stunning.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

I went to see Celebrity Autobiography at the Triad theater! Abso-friggin-hilarious! Kristen Johnston’s spot-on reading of Zsa Zsa Gabor’s autobiography almost made me wet my pants!

Best area or neighborhood for fashion steals?

SoHo! On Broadway, between Canal and Houston – lots of small boutiques with great, fun finds that won’t break your wallet!

www.newyorkbuzz.org

What is Your New York Buzz?

Tell us all about it!

Scott Lipps has dedicated himself to making you almost as cool as he is. He has created a blog to bring you what he calls “Fast Forward Pop Culture.” It is a one-stop reference guide for everything new and cool in pop culture. Scott spends hours researching everything from what you should buy to where you should eat and what you should watch. And, of course, only the newest Macbook, newest fashion line at H&M, newest play to hit Broadway, newest art book, and newest food event make thenewblog.

Tell us about your blog and how you got started? I used to read countless things looking and seeking out all the hot new things in pop culture and tearing things out of every kind of publication I could get my hands on. Thus, I saw a necessity to have all this info under one roof, hence the newblog.

What brought you to New York?

I was a rock n roll drummer playing in a very popular LA band called Black Cherry… we featured Paul Black, the singer of LA Guns. I had an injury and started working in management and next thing you know, a few years later, came to NY to partner in a modeling agency. Now One Management is becoming a great entertainment company with branches in fashion, film and music.

What do you love about living in New York?

I love the urgency and excitement of NY. It’s like no other city. But I have to be honest, it can also wear you out if you go out as much as I do… lol.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Honesty and integrity, that’s all about NY. NYers are a breed unto themselves.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

You can pass the same street 5 times and see something new all the time. There is so much to see and do here culturally that you never feel like you’ve exhausted all your options.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

I miss hopping in a cab and jumping from place to place, and the energy in the streets. Love the west side, Battery Park too. It feels like I’m in another city, not to mention the amazing food and culture.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

The best tips? Read thenewblog.net!!!!! I spend hours on researching what’s hot, new and happening in cities like NY and it all comes to you free of charge!!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

Never done one in NY, but I’d have to say those cheesy tourist buses. I took one in London and I was able to see things I probably would have missed on other trips. Cheesy, but fun.

Best place to dine late night?

Love Sushi Seki. Although I haven’t hit it too many late nights, apparently it’s open real late.

Best live music venue?

Still like Irving Plaza or the Fillmore, but I feel like the time is right for a new music venue! Stay tuned for details…

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

Probably the Chappelle show at the Shifrazi gallery!

Best people watching?

Bar Pitti, always a good scene.

What is the newest, hottest thing in New York we should know about?

Where do we start? So many… I have to refer back to my blog. You’ll hear about lots of the NEW best stuff around.

Best place to throw a party?

Have to go with my home away from home at the Gramercy Park Hotel Rose Bar, always family night for me.

www.thenewblog.net

What’s Your Newest and Hottest NY Discovery?
Tell us all about it!

If you think you have to be part of a couple to get the most out of life, think again. Our Code Word contributor, Sherri Langburt, is full of expert advice on life beyond dating. Whether it’s travel ideas, beauty tips, financial guidance, or recipes for entertaining, the founder of lifestyle blog Single Edition has something to say. Log on to find new ways to enjoy your freedom and get the most out of single life!

Cooking Gadgets for Solo Cooks

Must Have Tools to Minus the Mess and Save on Space

Whether you’re working late hours or don’t have the dream kitchen you deserve, chances are you are hankering for the occasional home-cooked meal. Just because you’re eating for one doesn’t mean you have to live off of prepared foods and take-out. The truth is, with the right equipment and recipes, going solo in the kitchen can be rewarding, budget friendly and a lot healthier for you.Not sure how to replicate your favorite Diner Dish or the fabulous Tuna Tartar you tasted on your last night out? All it takes is the right set of tools and some useful preparation techniques, and you’ll be on your way.

1. Mini Chopper: What’s cheaper, requires less clean-up time, and takes up a tenth of the space of a regular food processor? You guessed it! Mini choppers have just enough splicing power and make it easy to cook in small batches. Create perfect deli-style sandwiches with left-over chicken, canned tuna and salmon or even fake crab meat! Just add 4 ounces of lean protein, a teaspoon of light mayonnaise, some onions, celery or scallions into your mini-chopper, pulse, and presto! You can also whip up small batches of delicious homemade spreads and sauces, from hummus to pesto, in just seconds.

2. Muffin Tins: A trigger-happy relationship with the snooze button is no excuse for solos to skip breakfast. Homemade muffins are the perfect portable and affordable morning meal to suit the most hectic schedule. All you need is a muffin pan to whip up a healthy batch of your own. Recipes will yield 6-12 muffins but they can be individually wrapped and stored in the freezer for those days when you need a grab-and-go dish. If you are looking for portion-friendly desserts, then mini muffin trays are your perfect solution for bite-sized snacks. Just about any cake recipe can be prepared, divided, and baked in smaller servings just for one.

3. Immersion Blenders: Not only are these handheld whisking sticks easy to store, they are a neat freak’s best weapon! Regardless of the model, immersion blenders puree soups, sauces, dips and creams straight from the bowl or pot, so there’s no need to transfer foods to a blender or food processor. Instead of reaching for a high sodium packet of ramen noodles, you can now stir up your very own butternut squash soup!

4. Ice Cube Tray: It may be hard to imagine, but there is life beyond the Jell-O shot for these containers! They are ideal for storing soups, purees and sauces in portions that are easier to defrost. You can freeze the stocks in ice cube trays, then package the cubes in ziplock freezer bags for up to a year. Fresh herbs and other greens can also be chopped in the blender, covered with water and then frozen in ice cube trays! Break out the cubes, pack them in plastic bags and then pull out cubes as needed when you want to add seasoning to pastas, risottos, soups and other dishes.

5. Electronic Food Scales: Though there are a select number of cookbooks for singles, it’s a lot of fun experimenting by paring down family-sized dishes. The art to reducing recipes begins with precisely recalculating the ingredients list. Electronic scales provide a more accurate read than measuring cups so you will not be way off when estimating new quantities.

6. Peelers & Slicers: When time is of the essence, an egg-slicer will neatly divide kiwis, strawberries and mushrooms, and a vegetable peeler can do more than shave carrots: it works on hard to peel produce like mangoes and avocados. Want guilt-free linguine? Make vegetable noodles with long ribbons of zucchini and carrots, then top with a spicy arabiata sauce!

www.singleedition.com

What’s your favorite dinner-For-One recipe?

Post a comment below and share those tasty dishes!